Fig, Ginger and Walnut Chutney

A couple of years ago I was given the most amazing fig chutney. I think it had walnuts in it and possibly ginger. I asked the person who made it for the recipe but the recipe she gave me didn't match what I had in my memory.
I hunted and hunted for a recipe that included figs, ginger and walnuts but couldn't find one so I've made some changes and additions to a basic recipe based on those I have read and the finished chutney is amazing!

If you have got lots of figs to use, check out these two recipes too...Fig and Apple Chutney and Figs Poached in Vanilla

Fig, Ginger and Walnut Chutney

Ingredients

• 15 fresh figs / two bags of dried figs
• 150ml balsamic vinegar
• 100ml white wine vinegar
• 300g soft brown sugar
• zest and juice of 1 lemon
• 2 red onions finely sliced
• 1 chilli deseeded and cut into slithers ( optional)
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 10g fresh ginger
• 1 tablespoon of olive oil
• Salt and Pepper to taste.
• 1/2 cup of chopped crystallised ginger
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Method

Finely slice the red onion, peel and grate the ginger, remove the stalk from the figs and cut them into quarters. Zest and juice the lemon. Heat the oil in a large heavy based pan over a medium heat and then put in the red onion. Fry the onion for 5 minutes until it has slightly softened and turned translucent, it should be slightly caramelised.

Add all the other ingredients to the pan except for the figs, then season with salt & pepper to taste. Bring it up to the boil, then turn down to a simmer and cook for a further 30 minutes. Once the liquid has reduced to a syrup add in the figs, crystallised ginger and walnuts and cook it for a further 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Pour the chutney into jars, seal and allow to cool.The Chutney can be kept unopened for up to six weeks and opened as long as it’s refrigerated for 3 weeks. 

Fig and Apple Chutney

Figs seem to be a bit of an acquired taste. I used to hate the tiny crunchy seeds but just love them now. I've got a fig tree growing in a bonsai bag but it probably needs a bit more care and attention if it is going to produce more than a few figs each year.
I was able to order a couple of bags of figs with my Oooby box delivery recently and then had a mystery bag left for me by a family member, who followed that up with another bag.
So I have been frantically looking for fig preserving recipes.

This one was one I resorted to prior to a supermarket visit when I didn't have much in the house to cook with. It is nice, but quite sweet.
Of course I had to add things to it...not sure why I can't stop messing with recipes but my additions improved it I think.

I also used the dehydrator to dry some half figs. Not the best result but I think I can still use them.

Fig and Apple Chutney

500 g of fresh figs 
2 apples 
1 1/4 cup (150g) of sugar 
1 / 2 cup cider vinegar (or raspberry) 
1 / 2 teaspoon cinnamon (or allspice) 
1 pinch of Espelette pepper (I used chilli flakes...about a quarter of a tsp)
Salt and pepper 

I also added 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar

COOKING INSTRUCTION FOR THE FIGS AND APPLE CHUTNEY 
Clean the figs. Cut them into quarters. Peel and cut apples into cubes. 
Put everything in a saucepan with the sugar, vinegar, spices and a pinch of salt. 
Heat until boiling. Reduce heat and cook for 30 minutes. Stir occasionally. 
Spread the hot chutney in jars which have been boiled first. 
Close immediately. Turn the jars until completely cooled. 
Wait 48 hours before consuming. 

The fig chutney jars can be stored in the refrigerator.